Moldova

Introduction

Chisinau

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Rich fertile soil, rolling green hills, areas of woodland and gorgeous fields of sunflowers: Moldova is a land of considerable natural beauty. Vineyards line much of the landscape, and Moldovan wine is some of the finest according to local people, particularly considering its low price.

But the sad fact remains that Moldova is a nation struggling to get to its feet. Throughout the centuries, Moldovians have been pushed to and fro and passed through countless pairs of hands to end up in the 21st century trying desperately to come into its own. In 2001, Moldova elected a Communist to be its leader, becoming the first ex-Soviet colony to do so. Last year, large public demonstrations were held in opposition to the government. Widespread poverty add to the discontentment and Moldovians are considered some of the least happy citizens in the world. This volatile situation makes Moldova less than ideal for your next family holiday.

Some of the Moldavian hotels organize excursions to Moldavian monasteries and medieval fortresses. The guides will speak Romanian, Russian or English. In case of excursions to Moldavian wineries they will arrange for you a professional wine tasting.

Brief History

During the Neolithic stone age era Moldova's territory was the center of the vast Cucuteni-Trypillian culture that stretched east beyond the Dniester River in Ukraine, and west up to and beyond the Carpathian Mountains in Romania. After the decline of the Trypillian culture, the Dacian tribes took over. Between the 1st and 7th centuries CE, the south was intermittently under the Roman, then Byzantine Empires. Due to its strategic location on a route between Asia and Europe, the territory of modern Moldova was invaded many times in late antiquity and early Middle Ages, including by Goths, Huns, Avars, Magyars, Pechenegs, Cumans, and the Mongols. Tatar invasions continued after the establishment of the Principality of Moldavia in 1359, bounded by the Carpathian mountains in the west, Dniester river in the east, and Danube and Black Sea in the south. In 1538, the principality became a tributary to the Ottoman Empire, but it retained internal and partial external autonomy.

In 1812, according to the Treaty of Bucharest between the Ottoman Empire (of which Moldavia was a vassal) and the Russian Empire, the former ceded the eastern half of the territory of the Principality of Moldavia, along Khotyn and old Bessarabia (modern Budjak), despite numerous protests by Moldavians. Soon after that the Russians started a process of Russification. They called the region Bessarabia. The western part of Moldavia (which is not a part of present-day Moldova) remained an autonomous principality, and in 1859, united with Wallachia to form the Kingdom of Romania

Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, Bessarabia proclaimed independence from Russia in February of 1918. Moldova decided to unite with the Kingdom of Romania, The newly Communist Russia, however, did not recognize the Romanian rule over Bessarabia. In August 1939, the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and its secret additional protocol were signed, by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, which led to the occupation of Moldava by the Soviet Union, and the establishing of the Moldavian SSR, This event led to a major political shift in Romania, which denounced its alliance with France and Britain, and drew the country closer to Nazi. By participating in the 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union, Romania seized the lost territories of Bessarabia, and northern Bukovina. The Soviet Army re-captured the region again in February-August 1944, and re-established the Moldavian SSR. During the Stalinist period (1940–1941, 1944–1953), deportations occurred regularly.

After the failure of the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt, on August 27, 1991, Moldova declared its independence. On December 21 of the same year Moldova, along with most of the former Soviet republics, signed the constitutive act that formed the post-Soviet Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). In 1994, Moldova became a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace program and also a member of the Council of Europe on June 29, 1995. In the region east of the Dniester river, Transdnistria, an independent "Transdnestrian Moldovan Republic" (TMR) was proclaimed on August 16, 1990, with its capital in Tiraspol. The motives behind this move were fear of the rise of nationalism in Moldova and the country's expected reunification with Romania upon secession from the USSR. In the winter of 1991-1992 clashes occurred between Transdnistrian forces, supported by elements of the 14th Army, and the Moldovan police. Between March 2 and July 26, 1992, the conflict escalated into a military engagement. Plans for a union with Romania were abandoned, and the new Constitution gave autonomy to the breakaway Transdnistria and Gagauzia.

Geography

Moldova shares international borders with Romania and Ukraine, while the self-declared state of Transdnistria stradles the border of Ukraine as well.

Regions

Moldova consists of 32 administrative rayons. The country can however be divided into two geographically distinct regions.

• The hilly steppes (Codru) in the centre & north.
• The Bugeac plains in the south.

Two special regions are worth noting.

• Gagauzia is an autonomous region in Moldova's south.
• Transdnistria is a breakaway province in Moldova's east, between the Dniester River and the Ukrainian border. It is not recognised by any formal international body. Following a hard-line Communist ethos, it receives military equipment and funding from Russia. Its citizens receive Russian passports. Transdnistria has its own currency and stamps that are useless outside the province. It has strict border controls and, although it is possible, technically, no foreigners are allowed to enter this province.

Cities

• Chisinau - The capital
• Tiraspol - In Transdnistria, a separated part of Moldova
• Balti
• Tighina
• Ungheni
• Comrat
• Orhei

Sights and Activities

Milestii Mici

Visit the world's largest wine cellar and Europe's largest wine collection at Milestii Mici winery. Located 20 kilometres south of Chisinau this sight has an underground wine city made of limestone stretching for 250 kilometres. Although only 120 kilometres are currently in use. It is possible to travel in these tunnels by car or bike! And the best part is the tour ends with a wonderful tasting. This is a great day trip from the capital.

Orheiul Vechi

Located near the villages of Trebujeni and Buteceni, about 50 kilometres northeast of Chisinau, is the amazing ruins of Orheiul Vechi. Two medieval towns occupied the site for several hundred years. There is an ancient mosque, two mausoleums, a caravan seraglio and three bath houses to explore. Nearby there is an orthodox cave monastery, dating back to the 12th century, that is still in use. If your lucky the English speaking monk might be able to give you a tour.

Nistru River Valley

Go for a hike in the beautiful Nistru River Valley. The river slowly wanders across this hilly area with dense woods giving a wonderful outdoors feel. Look for wildlife and enjoy the quiet countryside. Some parts of river form the border with Ukraine, therefore making it difficult to go back and forth from the banks.

Other Sights and Activities

• Cojusna Wine Cellar - a smaller wine cellar with a great collection and is fun to walk around.
• Sorca Medieval Fortress - Explore the medieval fortress of Sorca.

Events and Festivals

Weather

Moldova has a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. Summertime is from June to September with temperatures averaging around 27 °C, while winters (December to February) are between zero and -8 °C on average. Absolute highs and lows are aroun 37 °C and -30 °C respectively. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year with some more rain in summer, when sometimes heavy showers and thunderstorms occur. May and September are very good months for a visit.

Getting There

By Plane

Air Moldova is the national airline of the country and is based at Chişinău International Airport (KIV) near the capital. Destinations include Athens, Frankfurt, Lisbon, Istanbul, London, Madrid, Paris, Milan, Rome and Vienna. Air Baltic flies to and from Riga and Vilnius. Other air companies that serve Chişinău are Tyrolean air, Turkish Airlines, Tarom and Transaero. Carpat Air has started flight to Timisoara in Romania.

By Train

There are currently no trains to and from Odessa in Ukraine (due to political troubles with Transdniestria). International services go to and from Bucharest in Romania, Sofia in Bulgaria, Minsk in Belarus and Moscow in Russia, among several other connections. Check the Moldovan Railways website for schedules and prices.

By Car

You can cross into Moldova by car when you have the right documentation and insurance. Crossings via Transdnistria are not possible but other borders with Ukraine and Romania are open. Those with Romania tend to be much easier though.

By Bus

Buses travel between Chisinau and a number of other cities, mostly in Romania and Ukraine, few go further away.

By Boat

There are no boats to and from Moldova.

Getting Around

By Plane

There are no internal flights because there is only 1 airport.

By Train

Trains are generally slow. See the Moldova Railways website for destinations.

By Car

• Rutiera - a cross between a mini bus and a share taxi. People take private cars or mini vans and drive to different cities. It is possible to get to most places in Moldova this way. Most leave from the bus stations and it is possible to connect to other rutiera to get to more remote towns.

By Bus

Most of the cities are linked by bus but this service is extremely basic. Also the buses and very old and take a long time.

By Boat

No boat services exist in the country.

Red Tape

As of January 1st, 2008, holders of passports from the following countries do not require visas to enter Moldova as a tourist for stays of up to 30 days:
Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Uzbekistan.

Most other nationalities should contact the nearest Moldovan embassy or consulate. In October, during the Moldovan Wine Festival, there is a visa free regime for visitors to the festival. Note that you must still apply and be accepted for a visa in advance, but there is no fee for processing the visa. Also note that still it's not possible to get a visa upon arrival when entering by train!For more information check the Moldovan Tourist website.

Check the latest situation about travelling to Transdnistria, the self-declared autonomous region in the west of the country. Different visa rules might apply here.

Money

See also: Money Matters

Moldovan Leu (MDL), plural Lei (from Romanian for 'Lion'), are divided into 100 bani.

• Banknotes: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 lei
• Coins: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 bani

• Exchange rate (August 2010): €1 = 16 MDL

Although the capital is relatively expensive in terms of food and accommodation, costs in the rest of the country are minimal. The Transdniestria region uses the Transdniestrian Rouble.

Work

Study

Language

The two main languages in Moldova are Moldovan and Russian. Moldovan is at best a dialect of Romanian. Although some slang has developed very few Moldovans take pride in their tongue. Most people speak Russian also but many of the Moldovans refuse to speak Russian because of nationalistic pride. Many of the younger people are learning English now. Menus in the capital often include Moldovan, Russian and English.

Eat

Sleep

• Marisha, Your Friend in Moldova - a one woman accommodation booking machine. This woman can arrange any kind of sleep arrangements, including home stays. She can even line you up with a week on a Moldovan farm if your interested in the more rural experience.

Drink

Health

See also: Travel Health

There are no vaccinations legally required to travel to Moldova. It's a good thing to get your vaccinations in order before travelling to Moldova. The general vaccination against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) is recommended. Also a hepatitis A vaccination is recommended.

If you are staying longer than 3 months or have a particular risk (travelling by bike, handling of animals, visits to caves) you might consider a rabies vaccination. Vaccination against Tuberculosis, typhoid as well as hepatitis B are also sometimes recommended for stays longer than 3 months. It is also recommended to have a vaccination against tick borne encephalitis when you go hiking and/or camping for 4 weeks or more in the period of March to November.

Finally, other possible health issues include diarrhea and other general travellers' diseases like motion sickness. Watch what you eat and drink and in case you get it, drink plenty of fluids (to prevent dehydration) and bring ORS.

Safety

See also: Travel Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

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